Lone wolfer here!
Local clubs are too strict on their modeling time frames & what is allowed to be run on their tracks.
What can I say.......I like running steam with AC4400's as well as D&H PA's with Via P42's.
Railways & Railroads still have their own passenger service on my layout as well as VIA & Amtrak having a train or two as well.
Do I enjoy the local clubs layouts at the local shows??? Yes very much so. I can usually find new ideas to try, especially with scenery.
Do I enjoy running trains on other peoples layouts??? Yes when given the opportunity.
Gordon
Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!
K1a - all the way
I'm not as "lone" as I once was. I built my layout myself (with guidance from a few trusted friends), my materials, my labor. This way I can model whatever/however I want without being out-voted, and I don't "owe" anybody anything for work they might have done on my layout.
I do, however, try to host op sessions once in a while. I've recently been unable to do that because I'm changing eras. That means acquiring and painting/decaling dozens of new locos, plus making sure my rolling stock fits within the 1969-72 time frame. IOW no fully-covered auto racks, doublestacks or Bethgons. This eats up a lot of the time I'd rather be spending doing op sessions. But you know the tired cliche` about "if you want to be absolutely sure something gets done right, ..."
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
Wow--
What an interesting discussion. Thank you Sheldon, Gary DuPrey, Jim and others...sorry can't remember all.
About me "painting myself into a corner"...
Well, I was a member of a local informal "club" where a Pastor in Rutherford, PA, (not far from the famous yard) is building a layout as a community outreach for his retirement years. Real nice bunch of guys--but my wife and oldest son had other things (cub scouts!) going on Monday nights that made that an "unworkable" night for me. Then there's the Thursday night worship band rehearsal, and the kids sports--and it's hard to have a consistent, free evening where I could get out to any small informal club. Also, my job keeps me away from my kids enough, and my wife usually needs a break when I can be here...all of which is just not very conducive to my getting too many evenings out for trains.
It's not that I'm antisocial--I enjoy getting together with other modelers and do occasionally have guests over to run trains on my layout.
However, to minimize basement right-of-way, I built a very simple track plan that does accommodate some pretty large motive power--because I just like to run trains. Any guest into prototype operations beyond wanting to run whatever it is they might bring over might get bored rather easily. I'm hoping to make up for the simple track plan with good scenery over time--but that is a work in progress (and an expense).
John
selector I love my own company because I never argue with myself.
I love my own company because I never argue with myself.
You're a lucky guy Crandell, not only do I argue with myself but I also tend to lose.
I do like outside of work social interaction, but I also treasure my private family time, what there is of it. I'm currently, again, involved in the local club, but unfortunately some of the non active modelling officers have been making some extremely dumb and not democratic decisions, like dismantling the big HO layout with nothing apart from a vague idea about building modules to replace it. Third layout that I've participated in the building of that's been pulled down in my absence. They then expect that myself and a few others will build modules for them to run on with out any help from them. Not good for my blood pressure.
Will probably go the round robin route, with the a couple of other members who also feel that they are "Put upon".
And no, NP2626, it is not an ego thing, even though I did " ride on the wild side"when I was young and far more stupider than I am now.
As others have already mentioned as participants on this forum, are an of us really "lone wolves, LIONS, or even a Bear
Cheers, The "Not so lone" Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
probably, I hold foruming in the same regard I did when I was participating in the Halo or BF3 forums. "Armchairing it." unfortunately only so much help can be given when limited to key boards, mouses, and computer screens. If it must be that technical I'll admit I'm no lone wolf, because my dog Oskar is often by my side now if only I could get him to move a train.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
I would definetly fall into the "lone wolf" category, 50% by necessity and 50% by choice. First off, it's almost 100 miles to the nearest decent hobby shop and the nearest model railroad club is 65 miles away. No four lane, high-speed, divided highways to get to either one. You're looking at $40.00 worth of gas & a 4-5 hour round trip to the hobby shop, so I don't make too many of them. The model railroad club is just far enough away that it too would burn up $30.00 in gas and involve a 3 hour round trip. It's a fairly large club, welcomes children and is quite active..........a little TOO active. I know a couple people who belong to it & they end up spending so much time & resources on the club that they have little time left for their own pursuits.
I'm 65 years old and have operated my own antiques business since I was 21. Still doing it, but scaling back & winding it down now, getting ready for retirement. I've spent 44 years in business, interacting with people & traveling to auctions, shops, shows & all manner of antiques venues from Maine to the midwest. I belonged to nearly a dozen different antiques organizations & clubs and served as officers in a few. Most ended up demanding more of my time & effort than is was able or willing to give. Experience has taught me that most clubs, of any kind, are like that. After 44 years of it, to be perfectly honest, I'm tired of it all & ready to kick back & spend my time doing what I want to do.
Last time I had a model railroad layout was when my dad & I built a small 4x8' way back in the early 1960's. So, about a year and a half ago I was was re-infected with the bug. I'm now in the process of building my dream layout & it's a pretty big one. Outside dimensions of the benchwork are 20' x 8' x 12'. I'm modeling two lines, The Bangor & Aroostook and The Aroostook Valley shortline, circa mid 1950's. Both, as I remember them growing up in Aroostook County. I'm including my home town of Fort Fairfield & my family's farms, as they were then, which involves a lot of scratch-building and kit-bashing. It's a personal project. Fortunately, my dad was a camera buff & I have boxes of photos that he took back in the 50's & 60's to work from. I like doing it my way and at my pace.
Lone Wolf? ABSOLUTELY! And I'm having ball doing it that way.
Carl
"I could never belong to any club that would have me as a member."
UP 4-12-2 So who out there admits to being a "lone wolf" modeler? Why or why not? As for me, I am a lone wolf modeler basically for the following reasons: 1. I live in PA but have always somehow preferred the southwestern U.S. desert regions--since I was a small child, when we had a large backdrop mural of Bryce Canyon, Utah, on the wall behind our train layout. Here in Central PA, very few people have similar railroad interests, and I'm very sorry, but Brunswick Green or N&W heritage/Norfolk Southern Black just does not excite me--though I have tried multiple times--I am unable to retain interest in the local railroads. 2. My favorite large Central PA train store has approximately 5 "Santa Fe guys" and about the same number of "Espee fans" as customers. 3. The known Santa Fe guys in PA are all into pretty much their own thing: Some steam era, some passenger operations mainly, a couple 1990's or later era; nobody that I personally know who lives within 90 miles of me is into the 1970's/'80's era, and I do not personally know any of the Espee fans at all, not a single one. 4. The SFRHMS and the East Coast Santa Fe Modelers, for the most part, are into the pre-1971 era Santa Fe. I did not find enough in those organizations of what I was interested in to keep me interested in being a member, period. They are fine organizations containing some great people and wonderful modeler/historians, but just do not appeal enough to me--especially since I now prefer SP more. 5. I had a pretty good friend who was into trains and tolerated my interest in the Southwest, but unfortunately he was bipolar, went off his meds, and actually took his own life almost a decade ago--leaving behind a beautiful wife and 2 young boys who miss him very much. 6. Job/family/church worship leader time constraits somewhat encourage me to "do my own thing in my own basement". 7. Local model railroad clubs do not allow child participation under age 12. They also fail to grasp that at 13, boys like girls and stuff other than model trains, so they are losing many potential members. I most certainly refuse to join if my sons are not welcome--and that has been made crystal clear. Plus the guys are just plain weird--or weirder than me--lol. John
So who out there admits to being a "lone wolf" modeler? Why or why not?
As for me, I am a lone wolf modeler basically for the following reasons:
1. I live in PA but have always somehow preferred the southwestern U.S. desert regions--since I was a small child, when we had a large backdrop mural of Bryce Canyon, Utah, on the wall behind our train layout. Here in Central PA, very few people have similar railroad interests, and I'm very sorry, but Brunswick Green or N&W heritage/Norfolk Southern Black just does not excite me--though I have tried multiple times--I am unable to retain interest in the local railroads.
2. My favorite large Central PA train store has approximately 5 "Santa Fe guys" and about the same number of "Espee fans" as customers.
3. The known Santa Fe guys in PA are all into pretty much their own thing: Some steam era, some passenger operations mainly, a couple 1990's or later era; nobody that I personally know who lives within 90 miles of me is into the 1970's/'80's era, and I do not personally know any of the Espee fans at all, not a single one.
4. The SFRHMS and the East Coast Santa Fe Modelers, for the most part, are into the pre-1971 era Santa Fe. I did not find enough in those organizations of what I was interested in to keep me interested in being a member, period. They are fine organizations containing some great people and wonderful modeler/historians, but just do not appeal enough to me--especially since I now prefer SP more.
5. I had a pretty good friend who was into trains and tolerated my interest in the Southwest, but unfortunately he was bipolar, went off his meds, and actually took his own life almost a decade ago--leaving behind a beautiful wife and 2 young boys who miss him very much.
6. Job/family/church worship leader time constraits somewhat encourage me to "do my own thing in my own basement".
7. Local model railroad clubs do not allow child participation under age 12. They also fail to grasp that at 13, boys like girls and stuff other than model trains, so they are losing many potential members. I most certainly refuse to join if my sons are not welcome--and that has been made crystal clear. Plus the guys are just plain weird--or weirder than me--lol.
Your just in the wrong part of the country. If you ever get to East Texas we have a club in Commerce, TX and you and your boys would be welcome. The only thing with the kids is you would have to accompany them and be responsible for their actions. Our club has several layouts, A large HO, Standard , Narrow and Electric. A large N scale layout and a trolley layout .
We have a small group which is very talented at different things and very cooperative with each other. I felt like I was greeted by a bunch of long lost friends on my first visit. The modeling interests of the group are quite varied, SF, C&O, Virginian, Pennsy, B&O, NYC, BN, UP, plus the narrow gauge and electric operations.
Seriously though you may stumble into a group that would love to have you and your boys and even if they are building in an era and location you are not in love with there may be times when you can just run your equipment on the layout.
If the group still does not want to tolerate anyone who is different from themselves build your own layout and enjoy the fellowship of the hobby via the web by posting videos etc. I am sure you can make lots of friends on the message boards.
Rob
Hi,
Yes, I too am a Lone Wolf MR. While I do have some good MR Email friends, and am active on this forum, I have no interest in getting involved with a club of any kind.
Why? Well, to put it simply - personalities and politics. I just dont' care to deal with them.
Having said that, I do wish that my "email friends" lived nearby.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Back in 1978 I began as a Lone Wolf as I had just got back into Model Railroading!
So I had to relearn everything as I was now in HO.
I built an 8 x 12 around the walls layout as I was interested in Operations - I even used the Sequential Movement Cards as was listed in a MRR article.
It was OK but not much fun just running by myself.
I visited a new start up Club which had a room in a local Mall. I joined in 1985 and have been a member ever since. They were just learning and needed help with the Electrical wiring which was one of my strong points!
We were in that Mall room for 8 years for FREE. We had to move due to the Mall finally renting the room. So we moved to another town and started over.
A fire cut this 2 year project short and again we moved back to our original Town and began again.
Through out all of this I learned many things in the Modeling aspect and made a LOT of Friends both Local and all over western PA.
In 1999 I bought a large Basement (with a House on Top) and began my current 2500 sq ft layout.
My 2 sons were a big help in getting the benchwork, track and DCC done but from that point I have pretty much been a Lone Wolf again in the building the rest of the Layout!
BUT!
Every 2 weeks I have an OPS Session and will have 20 Operators in to make the Layout come to life (something I can't do by myself - I could try but it just ain't the same).
The interaction of the other Operators working out Train Meets and moving the Freight is the MOST FUN one can have ! Some can say they don't like it but that is YOUR Problem not mine!
In the Mid 80's the Modelers in the area (including the Club) started our own NMRA Division in western PA.
Again we had fun in the early years but as most have stated the Politics reared its ugly head and made things less FUN!. As per NMRA Regs MEETINGs are way more important than Modeling and having to be a NMRA member stopped a lot of potential modelers from joining and we lost too many again because of Politics!
Those that left the Division (and this was after 10 years) we started the I-80 Group which had NO Officers, NO Dues, NO Politics! We were just interested in visiting each others Layouts for an Operations Session once or twice a month.
We communicated by e-mail in setting up of the Next OPs Session on a Saturday and we sent out an Electronic Newsletter just before that Months Scheduled OPs Session showing PIC and info about the upcoming OPs Session - Reviewing the Last OPs Session and the Members contributed articles of the progress they were making on their Home layouts.
Again More Great Friends getting together to have FUN running Trains and good old BSing.
You just can't get that from being a Lone Wolf!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Owwwoooooo! (the moon is almost full tonight)
I have a house, a wife, a daughter away at college and a job. We ski as often as possible all winter long. I've kept track of time and layout progress, and it takes me one month to do one square foot of layout. I don't have time to do much more than come out of my train cave and howl now and then.
I've thought about joining a club. But, when I look at the time required just to drive back and forth to the closest ones, it would severely limit anything else I might be interested in. So, that's one of those things to look forward to in retirement.
My daughter was never interested in trains, but our area has what appears to be a pretty good group of Youth in Model Railroading families. They have their own modular group which exhibits at local shows. Sure, some of the modules have dinosaurs and Hot Wheels cars on them, but the trackwork seems good and it's the kids running the trains, not the grownups. Over the years, I've seen several of the YMR "alumni" move up to the big leagues inside the HUB Division's NMRA layouts.
I'm a freelancer, but most of my motive power and caboose fleet is Milwaukee, and the rest is just "awaiting repainting." But, I see no problem in socializing with anyone who runs a different logo, or a different era. I'm very slowly doing things that will make my layout more operations-friendly, in anticipation of one day becoming part of a round-robin operations group. But, alas, my thoughts roam to Shakespeare: "Had I but world enough, and time..."
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I qualify as a Lone Wolf modeler. I started this layout in 1983 and have been adding to it and improving it ever sense. No, I have no interest in clubs and there just aren't many modelers around here. Just enough that I can call on one or two of them when I need some help.
Yes, I now also work at the local Historical society where we have built several layouts of different scales. It's a good display. But I prefer to work alone and that makes me a Lone wolf.
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
I'm not really a lone wolf because my oldest son and a couple friends are into trains in my scale of Ho. I also belonged to a couple clubs and soon grew tired of the different directions they wanted to go. I built my dream - club sized layout myself with help from my son who is always the one who does all the under the table stuff with over 75 tortoise machines and the wiring for the Dcc . My layout takes up over 800 sq feet of the basement, I have a double main each about 350 feet each so I can put 2 trains on and let them run or I could put about 6 guys to work doing just switching. I did all the track work and most of the scenery and buildings. I have all Dcc and 7 radio throttles in case someone else wants to run with over 100 loco's, mostly Kato and a few Atlas and some brass and about 700 rolling stock that I have collected the last 30 years. My yard is 15 tracks wide and 42 feet long. I still have about half the scenery to do plus the signaling and track detection. Yes I'm happy with what we have built and I am proud of our layout and show it to who ever wants to see it and the looks of amazement at the size of it. Most want to take pics to show others they know who own trains. I can disappear for about 8 - 10 hours a day working down there to get off the world as they say. My wife is handicapped so I split my time about evenly with both. She has never gave me any problems with my hobbies which also include music and going to jams and playing my pedal steel guitar. She knows where I am she just opens the door and lets me know if she needs me. Do I brag about my trains, yes I do when I get the chance. I never smoked or drank so that's where that money went and she never complained, but she also collects dolls so we are about even in our hobbies. I always enjoy the forums and the different questions and problems others have and all the info everyone has to offer. So keep up all the great work and help to everyone who needs the free instructions and information. Jim.
Taking this forum out of the equation, I am most definately a lone wolf. I live in eastern AZ, where I haven't met a single fellow MRR. The nearest LHS, carrying a handful of Athearn RTR and WS stuff, is 50 miles away. The nearest one devoted to trains, An Affair With Trains, as well as the nearest (that I'm aware of) clubs or layouts,is 225 miles. None of those mileages, as stated by another poster, are 4-lane divided. It is all two lane, twisty, up and down mountain driving. So, traveling to these is out of the question, save a trip to AAWT if I'm in the Phoenix area and have the time.
Would I love to visit other layouts? Absolutely! As others have mentioned, great for idea spawning. But for now....... as Ozzy sang, Bark at the Moon!
Duane
Joe Staten Island West
I am a ROOKIE and a lone wolf! I am a lone wolf mainly becuase I live in a rural region of the State and the closest Club is probably close to 100 miles away. I have a small 'catch all' hobby shop fairly close, but it has a very limited supply of railroad supplies. So I rely on mail order for supplies and the Internet as my 'club' for inspiration, advice, and guidance. I can't imagine what it was like in the days before the Internet and mail order! Being new to model railroading, I would really have liked having a club or a few model railroaders close by to help me out with some of my issues in building my layout and just plain talking trains and the hobby. But I will say that this site, the actual magazine, and other areas of the Internet have been so valuable to a rookie model railroader like me. I find that, by and large, the model railroader community is a pretty decent group of folks who are willing to lend a hand however they can via advice, constructive criticism, or opinions.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."
This thread has made me think that maybe, just maybe... I have the best of both worlds. That is, being a 'lone wolf' (for some reason I've never cared for that term), and having a group of modelers to socialize with. I'm a member of a modular club that has about 26 members but I also have my personal layout. About once every month, maybe two... several of the club members come here for an operating session that lasts about an hour to an hour and a half. The vast majority of the modular club members do not have a home layout and get to run trains only when they come here or when the club sets up it's layout at some event.
So, most of the time I'm working on my layout by myself though at times a friend from the club will come over and help me out with some problem.
A modular group is a different animal from a club that has a fixed layout and is made up of many different types of modelers. I would venture to say that about 12 or 13 of that 26 do not do any model railroading at all on their own, while the other half of that 26 are constantly involved in the hobby... kit building, installing decoders, weathering items etc. etc. But, that's really what a modular club is about, it's for those that don't have the space or disposable income or maybe the inclination and drive to build a personal layout.
Having my own layout lets me work on it or simply run trains at my leisure. If I don't feel like being with or around other people I don't have to. But, being in the club let's me socialize with others of like interests and become closer friends with those of my choosing.
I believe being with other people now and then keeps us from becoming too grumpy.
Jarrell
UP 4-12-2 So who out there admits to being a "lone wolf" modeler? Why or why not? As for me, I am a lone wolf modeler basically for the following reasons: 1. I live in PA but have always somehow preferred the southwestern U.S. desert regions John
1. I live in PA but have always somehow preferred the southwestern U.S. desert regions
Similar issue for me as John, although I grew up in northern California and traveled extensively to Colorado and have lived in the midwest (IN), northeast (NY) and now (northern VA), I never developed interested in anthing eastern. Stuck in the east for the forseeable future but love SP & D&RGW in the 70's and 80's. As someone else pointed out, it's the curse of living in the wrong area.
Your just in the wrong part of the country. If you ever get to East Texas we have a club in Commerce, TX and you and your boys would be welcome. The only thing with the kids is you would have to accompany them and be responsible for their actions. Seriously though you may stumble into a group that would love to have you and your boys and even if they are building in an era and location you are not in love with there may be times when you can just run your equipment on the layout. If the group still does not want to tolerate anyone who is different from themselves build your own layout and enjoy the fellowship of the hobby via the web by posting videos etc. I am sure you can make lots of friends on the message boards. Rob
Thats nice to have a good club in your area. Where I live there are several clubs but due to the distance I haven't gotten involved. I commute an hour each way from Herndon VA to Alexandria Mon-Fri so the last thing I want is another long drive - I'm worn out from working and commuting and the high cost of living and child support costs prevent me from affording anything but a tiny condo basement to rent. Three more years and I'll be out from under the child support obligation and may be able to finally have a little space to pretend to be a lone wolf like ya'll. There is a modular club here I've talked to those guys at the shows. They say they will email me but they never do. =/
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
So many trains, so little time. I work for BNSF so most of my time is spent running trains for fun and profit. Being on call, it is difficult to set a social schedule. Time off is spent at home rather than running out to play with other trains. Tried that, but it was just too much.
But really, Model Railroading is unique in having group participation. Other hobbies, like collecting stamps or coins, do not have group operating sessions.
It's not that local clubs won't "tolerate" those of us who prefer trains from other regions of the country--they have in the past "tolerated" me.
I was an active member of the Penn State (University) Model Railroad Club, when they had a layout on campus (don't know if they still do) while I was a student...but you couldn't continue to be a member after graduation.
However, this is diehard PRR/CR/NS territory, and they love their railroad, and after awhile, one gets rather tired of the snide remarks directed toward equipment from other regions of the country. One gets rather tired of being "that guy" with the warbonnet or Kodachrome whatever it is...
There is a fairly large local model railroad club, but in addition to the no kids under 12 years old rule (which we discussed at length above) they had all out war over DCC and actually kicked out the older members (the "anti-DCC" crowd)...only problem with that is they now have a layout they can't operate very effectively (I last heard they were completely rewiring it--a major mess) and they got rid of the guys who actually did most of the work!
I got to know the guys who were kicked out when they were working on the Pastor's community outreach layout. They were quite nice, and very good workers.
As for me, I can't stomach the thought of joining any group that will just arbitrarily kick-out members whose "creative vision" doesn't match the "new guy" club president.
This is another reason I tend to be a lone wolf modeler, or rather that I only associate with smaller, less formal groups of modelers.
I might rather prefer a Round Robin type layout visiting club if there was one in the greater Harrisburg, PA area.
UP 4-12-2 It's not that local clubs won't "tolerate" those of us who prefer trains from other regions of the country--they have in the past "tolerated" me. I was an active member of the Penn State (University) Model Railroad Club, when they had a layout on campus (don't know if they still do) while I was a student...but you couldn't continue to be a member after graduation. However, this is diehard PRR/CR/NS territory, and they love their railroad, and after awhile, one gets rather tired of the snide remarks directed toward equipment from other regions of the country. One gets rather tired of being "that guy" with the warbonnet or Kodachrome whatever it is... (SNIP) I might rather prefer a Round Robin type layout visiting club if there was one in the greater Harrisburg, PA area. John
(SNIP)
YES the Penn State Club is still active as I just Hosted 12 of them on Mar 16 on my home layout!
I was last at their Club Layout for an OPs Session in Feb of 2012! Nice layout!
As for a Round Robin group in Harrisburg area - I know a few of the guys down there as our I-80 Group has been down there and operated a number of area layouts there over the years!
Our I-80 Group is basicly one Large Round Robin group and we have over 40 or so members with 15 plus Layouts we run on through out the year!
We have layouts in Western PA - Southern New york State and Eastern Ohio!
I have an odd situation, at home I lone wolf it, for various reasons, but then I also love to take my portable layout to shows and meet people and it to them.
At home I'm simply not doing what other folks in my scale do, I model in G, my layout is a cramped compact spaghetti bowl of a switching terminal, the track is all 2'R in a gauge where most stuff requires 3'R or wider anymore and uses mostly custom short cars which work better in the cramped spaces, so most folks simply cannot run standard size stuff on my layout, then my layout is DC track powered for single cab ops, no multiple cab ops, and I am not around anyone who I know from the LS forums I participate on. So I am sort of in a self-imposed exile there.
But when on the road, I exhibit a 3'x4' 2-level pizza layout, also in G. Its also uses all really short kitbashed stock that usually causes most observers to break out in a contagious grin. Its alot of fun seeing peoples reaction to it, kids especially go nuts over it and will watch it go around over and over again. Makes it worth the trip to set it up.
So I guess I'm a Social Lone Wolf.
Have fun with your trains
I'm a "Lone Wolf" but just to be more railroady I call myself a "Lone Geep". I would like to join a club and three are not too far away, but far enough for me not to be part of one. I'm only 17 so I don't have a lot of money to spend on gas to get down to meetings and membership fees. Also I'm the only one in my town who likes trains.
Lone Geep
\
i realized that I was an introvert when asked if parties tired me out or energized me on the Meyers-Brigg personality test.Some people prefer sports like tennis or golf because they don't have to rely on others. Golf is the extreme, because it's not even you against another player but you against the ball.engineering typically combines components having variability into a design with consistent performance. The same is true for projects involving many people who have various personalities and expectations who must work toward a common goal.I'm sure some modelers may have a bad experience with some groups of people, but can have a more enjoyable experience with a different mix of people who share a more compatible mindset or more complementary personalities (e.g. opposites attract). Some groups may want to party while others just want to get the job done.I think it's hard to compare model building and operation; building can proceed at a variable pace, while operation requires coordinated activity from a group of people. Building standards vary, while operation just has deadlines.Email, forums, even public speaking don't require social skills since it's one way (i.e. no interruption).
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
I am at present a Lone Wolf as I'm still building the basic layout. Except for electrical stuff which has been done by a good friend, I do all of the work myself. This will change eventually though, as I participate in several "round robin" Ops groups, operating at the owner's homes and they come over to advise and critique occasionally which is welcomed.
Once I get enough infrastructure in place, I hope to host my own Ops sessions (or at least learn how with more experienced guy's working out the kinks). I have no interest whatsoever in joining a formal/Roberts Rules of Order style club. I worked on committees for over 20 yrs. professionally and like things relaxed without politics.
I'll be doing a lot of Lone Wolf ops before inviting others over, but value the social aspects of our hobby too much to ONLY lone wolf it.
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
Been reading these posts for over an hour and it seems to me that its all in how you define the term, I never considered myself a Lone Wolf however living where I do, the southwestern part of the US it is a five hour drive to the nearest hobby shop and there are no clubs in this area at all.
So I guess I am a Lone Wolf also. No layout right now do to a move a few years back, no room in current house to setup one. I like to model the late fortys into the early fifties, some would say the transition era. Gives me a lot of leeway in what I can run, I like the late steam engines and a lot of the early diesels. That and the architecture was so much more interesting then.
I have been a member of a club when I lived in NorCal and enjoyed the first couple of years, but after a few years it became almost a chore to go to meetings, not that anyone was required to but as I got older and things in life became more complicated, (the usual things job/homelife/etc) there was less and less time to do anything else so I dropped out of modeling for several years and only just in the past seven or eight years am getting back into it. Anyhow I guess that it is what you want it to be. And remember you anly have to please one person with YOUR hobby, and that is you.
Keep it on the high shiny stuff. Neil
I am in the "lone wolf" camp having no connection with other model railroaders. I don't know of anyone in my circle of friends and co-workers who is interested in the hobby. I like N scale due to space limitations-- you can get a lot of layout and a lot of scenery into a relatively small space. I am essentially self taught based on the Atlas layout books and Kalmbach publications. My current layout is essentially the Atlas Atlantic Long Haul Lines which I operate as the East Penn Philipsburg and Milestown Division running the "fallen flags" of eastern Pennsylvania where I grew up-- PRR, Reading Lehigh Valley, LNE, C & O, B & O, D & H, NYC Erie,-- and northern New England where I currently live-- Maine Central, Boston & Maine, Bang,or & Aroostook, Central Vermont, Rutland, and so forth. My collection of locomotives and rolling stock is not prototype or specific era driven. The only nearby train shop currently operating is exclusively HO so I'm basically an on line purchaser. I like to prowl for Ebay auction bargains and love to find unusual paint schemes. There is a local model railroad club around thirty miles away but they also model HO and seem much driven to prototype operation and don't seem very welcoming to a dub with shaky hands and minimal modelling skills. I do spend a lot of pleasant winter evenings puttering around the train room.
I fit the "loneWolf" type of modeler.
1) Work schedule hampers any routine free time.
2) I do not know any modelers that live close by.
3) Nearest club that I know of is 50 miles away.
4) I like what I like, and model what I want.
5) I work with the public, so I enjoy my alone time.
6) I do not want to follow some groups idea of how things should be done.
7) I am too old and stubborn to change my ways.
8) If you want to visit my layout and run some trains, you are more than welcome, just do not nit pick.
Paul
Living in Fernley Nevada, about 30 miles east of Reno, also lived in Oregon and California, but born In Brooklyn NY and raised on Long Island NY
pascaff* I fit the "loneWolf" type of modeler. 1) Work schedule hampers any routine free time. 2) I do not know any modelers that live close by. 3) Nearest club that I know of is 50 miles away. 4) I like what I like, and model what I want. 5) I work with the public, so I enjoy my alone time. 6) I do not want to follow some groups idea of how things should be done. 7) I am too old and stubborn to change my ways. 8) If you want to visit my layout and run some trains, you are more than welcome, just do not nit pick. Paul
Agreed!What Paul Said!!!I am pretty much all of the above....
UP 4-12-2 I might rather prefer a Round Robin type layout visiting club if there was one in the greater Harrisburg, PA area. John
John, our round robin group here in Bel Air, Maryland makes it a point to not call ourselves a "club" - we have no dues and few rules - mostly just simple courtesy stuff.
What I like about it is that there is no expectation of participation. If you show up fine, if not, nobody gets a bee in their bonnette.
Each member who desires to host, usually with an operating layout, "invites" the others to his home. We meet once a week and the schedule is usually set up about 4-6 weeks in advance.
We have about 30-35 people on our "list" - a typical group night sees about 15-18, some more regular than others. Currently 7-8 members host the meetings, people rotate in and out as their layout and personal situations dictate.
Recently I have not been a regular attendee, do to family commitments, but in the past I was sometimes a host as well.
Sometimes we work on members layouts at their request, and most of the regular hosts have some sort of "operating session" planned - every one is different.
Personally, I long ago lost all interest in formal clubs with club layouts. It is my view that the ever expanding diversity and complexity of this hobby will make clubs more and more difficult to administer in a fair and equitable way. And to be honest, most clubs I have been involved with or know something about are simply benevolent dictatorships run by a hand full of members at the expense of, and benefit for, the rest of the membership. So if your goals don't fit the goals of the "rulers", you are better off to stay away.
But I can afford that view, I have the space, skills and means to build my own "club" sized layout - even if I don't always have as much time for it as I want.
When I was younger, as I indicated earlier, I belonged to a long established, now well published club not too far from here, in central Maryland. That group is still going strong from what I understand, but I have not been contact with any of them for many years. Whe I was active, I both contributed to the layout, and offered my professional skills to help maintain the building infrastructure - I must admit that for me that sort of "community service" thing is just not for me anymore.
So find a round robin gorup, or find 3-4 guys and start your own, it is in my view the best way to socialize in this hobby.
Sheldon
I'm in the Harrisburg area and would be willing to visit some layouts. I don't have an operating one myself, still building it, but wouldn't mind getting some experience on some other layouts.
There's a club in Mechanicsburg. have you looked into it at all? Even if you didn't want to join there's probably members who would be willing to do some type of round robin outside of the club.